AIR SOUTHWEST  Passenger Reviews and Customer Trip Reports

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  19 May 2010 by A Billing (UK)

PLY-JER for overnight stay and returned the following day. Dash plane used seemed older and a bit noisier to Flybe, but seating was reasonably comfortable for the short hop, if a bit narrow. No catering service on the way out as the flight was so quick (under 30 mins) but a service was offered on the way back. Staff fairly friendly and we arrived on time both ways. On the return journey those travelling onwards to Bristol were advised that they would have bus transport arranged due to the volcanic ash situation. Would fly with them again if I could get a similar rate, but their fares seem to be a bit more expensive in comparison with Flybe and Exeter airport is more convenient for me. I like how their fares include check-in luggage allowance automatically within the cost, in comparison to other low cost airlines.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  28 March 2010 by David Leston (UK)

Was booked to fly LGW-PLH-LCY at the weekend. The outbound flight diverted to NQY due to poor weather - with a minibus service provided to take passengers to PLH (over an hour away). The return LCY flight was amalgamated with the return LGW flight and flew into city with a 30mins hour delay (this time it was the Gatwick passengers who got bussed to their destination). Seems there are some difficulties sticking to the schedule at Air Southwest (although I appreciate that weather can cause unexpected diversions).

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  10 March 2010 by R Anderson (UK)

Newquay to Gatwick. New menu not expensive, with the addition of Cornish gifts and London Oyster travel cards. Debit and credit cards accepted - before it was cash only. Today it was cash only as the machine was not working. Cabin crew were friendly and efficient.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  23 January 2010 by Alex Hope (Australia)

Although their e-ticket explicitly advises about taking out travel insurance in case of inability to get to the airport, and they take no liability for this, they promptly processed a refund for 4 return tickets Newquay-Cork. We were booked on 7/1/09, and were worried that we may not be able to get to the airport, or to our Irish destination safely, because of the icy road conditions. I checked the flight 2 hours before departure, hoping one or other airport would be closed, however both were open. I rang to cancel and was spontaneously offered a refund because of the general disruption to travel in the UK that day. Since this was outside the strict terms and conditions of the fare, I am very impressed with the effort to maintain good customer relations.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  30 December 2009 : by Tony Pinckard (UK)

I decided to give them a try and booked a flight to Plymouth from Gatwick on Dec 23rd. I called them at noon to check that the flight was ok and told it was fine, there were up to one hour delays at Gatwick because of the weather there, but it was hoped this would have gone by the time of my 4.25pm flight. So I go to Gatwick. There I am told that the flight could not go to Plymouth, only Newquay, and there would be a minibus from Newquay to Plymouth. I found out it was because of ice at Plymouth airport. From others I found out that the morning ASW flights form Plymouth had also been cancelled (as they lack runway de-icing equipment there). Why was I not told this at noon? If I had known, I would have taken the train and made my appointment. Instead my evening was ruined.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  23 November 2009 : by Glen Rennie (UK)

London City-Plymouth-London City. Check in at London City was quick, but the check in agent from KLM demanded photo ID even though domestic flights on Air Southwest do not require this. It was just luck that I had a work ID card with me. Security a non-event and even though it's very small the departure lounge is sufficient. The aircraft was clean and in good order but the sole member of cabin crew looked scared stiff and on the verge of bursting into tears! Departed on time and arrived on time. The return flight was much the same with quick check in, no issues at security and a clean and well maintained aircraft. Again, the flight departed on time and arrived on time. Once more though, the crew did not appear too comfortable. Overall my trips were ok but the happy, smiley, cheerful faces that used to greet you onboard this airline seem to have given way to stressed, overworked, wound up and quite uneasy faces. This maybe down to a reduction in staffing levels (there used to be two cabin crew members on Air Southwest flights) or something more, I don't know, but the atmosphere change onboard was noticeable!

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  5 October 2009 : by Jon Earnshaw (UK)

LCY-NQY-PLH-LBA. London City to Newquay, took just 1hr 30mins (15min touchdown in Plymouth). Crew great, bubbly and helpful, even booking a taxi to meet me at Newquay - snack and drinks very reasonable. Plymouth to Leeds very different - chaotic check in at Plymouth, the wrong seat plan had been used so everyone had to be checked in again - nightmare. Check in staff lacked warmth and didn't smile. I was then told I would need to change at Bristol. Onboard the flight, crew disappeared for the 30min flight to Bristol - no drinks service and they chatted at the back of the plane. Switching planes was easy - the plane was sub-chartered from Aer Aarran - the crew were friendly and polite and drinks were served on this 1hr hop to Leeds. Reasonable cost, shame the journey to Bristol took the edge of the experience.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  20 July 2009 : by Nic Hallett (UK)

NQY-LCY-NQY. Very comfortable seats, great cabin staff. A perfect little service, able to be in London for 9.30, meeting, went to the British Museum and back home in Falmouth by 21.30, and all for £58! this service was mostly full of business people but I would recommend the service for anyone. Reasonable drinks and snack costs.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  14 July 2009 : by Suzanne Griffin (UK)

Newquay to Gatwick return. I was carrying a lot of medication for the trip and stated this. Still my cabin luggage was examined in detail - something that did not occur either with my cross channel airline or domestic flight in Canada. On the return journey we were about 3kg overweight and were gleefully told we had to pay excess - even though another passenger stepped forward and said she had no luggage and we could use her allowance. Flight missed slot so had to wait 10 minutes on the runway. Much time spent at Plymouth to change crews. New pilot refused to take off as ground crew overfilled with fuel. We had to then wait while another plane was fueled and then transfer. My first trip with Air South West - but not much choice in Cornwall. No complaints about cabin crew - polite and helpful.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  8 July 2009 : by Dan Ross (UK)

LCY-NQY-LCY via PLY. Great little airline, with a great crew. Ontime out of LCY. About 10 mins late out of Newquay due to storms in Plymouth. Very reasonable buy on board food prices. Very fun and bubbly flight attendants who seem to enjoy their jobs and it shows. Great journey that made the trip to Cornwall very easy! Would do it again.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  13 June 2009 : by R Anderson (UK)

Newquay to London City return. Both flights 90 minutes late due to earlier technical problems. Check in staff at LCY not good - lack of smiles and no seat selection. Cabin crew and service on both sectors good. This is the second time I have used this service and was delayed before. I wonder if Air Southwest are doing too many flights with too little aircraft ?

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  5 May 2009 : by Steve Garrett

Customer Rating : 3/5

Plymouth to LGW - we had boarded the aircraft which then suffered a pump failure as engines were being started. Sat on board as various engineers tinkered with the aircraft to be then told by the Captain that the aircraft was out of service. Luckily for us, there was a spare aircraft at Plymouth and we flew on to Gatwick via Newquay arriving less than one hour late. I do wonder if the fleet of DASH 8's is getting on a bit and suffering more technical problems than it should?

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  1 May 2009 : by P Dyer

Customer Rating : 1/5

Booked to Newquay from Bristol, but flown to Plymouth, then road transport. I paid for an onward rail-journey out of my own pocket in order to escape the ensuing chaos. Communication by ground staff wasn't poor - it was non-existent! Cabin-crew rather curt ("what are we supposed to do if aircraft goes tech in LBA etc"). Answer - pPerhaps maintain your aircraft better or get some more reliable ones. Preferably both. First flight with Air Southwest - possibly the last.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  28 April 2009 : by R Anderson

Customer Rating : 3/5

Sunday evening flight from Newquay to London City via Plymouth. The flight was delayed one hour due to the late arrival of the incoming aircraft. Check in not asked if I would like a window or aisle, given a seat at the front. Had to ask for a seat of my choice near the back of the cabin. This was not the fault of the airline as they use a handling agent at Newquay and they seem to lack experience. Usual friendly and efficient cabin crew but due to the delay and the ground handling I can only give three stars at this time.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  15 April 2009 : by R Anderson

Customer Rating : 5/5

0720 departure from Newquay to Gatwick left on time and arrived fifteen minutes early. Had a coffee and a cereal bar. Reasonable priced at £2.70. Cabin crew friendly and proffesional. You are not charged for extras, when you book this includes 20kg checked baggage and seat selection at check in. Now that BA have pulled off the route Air Southwest is the best between Newquay and Gatwick.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  16 March 2009 : by E Ferguson

Customer Rating : 1/5

I booked a return trip Newquay to Gatwick when travelling from Heathrow to Australia, because my travelling companion wanted to do this, but my opinion was that the train would be less hassle. The outward trip was successful, although I had worries about whether it would fly if the weather was bad, as so many people told me they had had problems regarding this. On the return journey, I travelled all the way with other airlines with no problems regarding my baggage, until I reached Gatwick and checked in with Air Southwest. I had 3 bottles of wine in my hold baggage which put me a bit overweight, so they insisted I paid excess baggage even though the plane was not full. We waited a long time to board with no communication as to when we were taking off, and then once up in the air, the pilot said we would go to Plymouth, but we would then have to have a coach to Newquay because of fog. So I was charged excess baggage, which none of the other airlines did, and only flew for part of the journey. It would have been worse if it had happened on the outward journey with a longhaul flight to catch, but I just wish I had gone by train now, and I certainly won't fly Air Southwest again.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  6 January 2009 : by Stephen Garrett

Customer Rating : 4/5

I have not always been kind to this airline, especially after having been dumped at Gatwick last summer due to a cancelled flight. But, I have flown with them a couple of times since and have had no problems whatsoever. You even get to see the same flight crew occasionally which is sort of comforting. However, flyBe are soon to fly Newquay to Gatwick and the fare is one third of that from Air Southwest. I know the prices will creep up in time but in this day and age, one has to seek the best deal from LGW to the West Country. I will be interested to see if Air Southwest respond and bring their prices down to match flyBe.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  26 November 2008 : by S Cookson

Customer Rating : 4/5

BRS-LBA return. On-time flights, professional cabin crew, overall good value for money. There's plenty of legroom which makes the small interior of the DASH8 feel more spacious. I've flown Air Southwest a few times now and never had a problem.

AIR SOUTHWEST customer review :  28 October 2008 : by S Baxter

Customer Rating : 2/5

Newquay to Gatwick. Pleasant flight, and arrived 25 minutes early. Friendly, experienced cabin crew. Plenty of legroom on board Dash 8 aircraft, though main problem is that this small aircraft is extremely noisy on board - you need earplugs to concentrate on what you are reading! Nevertheless a good flight.